-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TZa23CfMmiaYh3ZWPIV1eGhGBw99Z3BW0irv3LSKjTDnBWR6MDTWGysYtJnM+AQl sbrfdDHDeGY33nxnTGEkVg== 0000950134-96-004412.txt : 19960819 0000950134-96-004412.hdr.sgml : 19960819 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950134-96-004412 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B5 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19960816 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PENNEY J C CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000077182 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311] IRS NUMBER: 135583779 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0126 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B5 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-06883 FILM NUMBER: 96616754 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6501 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024-3698 BUSINESS PHONE: 2144311000 424B5 1 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED 8/14/96 1 Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) Registration No. 333-06883 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 2, 1996. JCPenney J. C. Penney Company, Inc. $200,000,000 7 3/8% Notes Due 2008 $200,000,000 7.65% Debentures Due 2016 $200,000,000 6.90% Debentures Due 2026 Interest on the Debt Securities is payable February 15 and August 15 ------------------ The 7 3/8% Notes will mature on August 15, 2008, the 7.65% Debentures will mature on August 15, 2016, and the 6.90% Debentures will mature on August 15, 2026. The 7 3/8% Notes, the 7.65% Debentures, and the 6.90% Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "Debt Securities." The Debt Securities may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The registered holder of each 6.90% Debenture may elect to have that Debenture, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is a multiple of $1,000, repaid on August 15, 2003 at 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to August 15, 2003. Such election, which is irrevocable when made, must be made within the period commencing on June 15, 2003 and ending at the close of business on July 15, 2003. No similar right is available to the holders of the 7 3/8% Notes or the 7.65% Debentures. See "Description of Debt Securities." ------------------ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRE- SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Underwriting Price to Discounts and Proceeds to Public(1) Commissions Company(1)(2) ------------- ------------- ------------- Per 7 3/8% Note.............................. 99.959% .675% 99.284% Per 7.65% Debenture.......................... 100% .875% 99.125% Per 6.90% Debenture.......................... 100% .625% 99.375% Total........................................ $599,918,000 $4,350,000 $595,568,000
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from August 19, 1996. (2) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $225,000. ------------------ The Debt Securities are offered by the several Underwriters when, as and if issued by the Company, delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters and subject to their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that the Debt Securities, in definitive fully registered form, will be ready for delivery on or about August 19, 1996, against payment therefor in immediately available funds. CS First Boston Merrill Lynch & Co. J.P. Morgan & Co. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated The date of this Prospectus Supplement is August 14, 1996. 2 IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE DEBT SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THIS OFFERING NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS The following financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 52 weeks ended January 27, 1996, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 27, 1996.
13 WEEKS ENDED 26 WEEKS ENDED --------------------- --------------------- JULY 27 JULY 29 JULY 27 JULY 29 1996 1995 1996 1995 -------- -------- -------- -------- (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Retail sales............................................ $ 4,507 $ 4,435 $ 8,959 $ 8,802 Net income.............................................. $ 93 $ 116 $ 235 $ 272 Per fully diluted common share: Net income............................................ $ .37 $ .46 $ .94 $ 1.07
The Company's net income per share (fully diluted) for the thirteen weeks ended July 27, 1996 decreased 19.6 percent to 37 cents, as compared with 46 cents in the same 1995 period. Net income totaled $93 million, as compared with $116 million in the 1995 second quarter. Sales for the quarter increased 1.6 percent, to $4.5 billion. Gross margin as a percent of sales was even with last year. Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased 3.9 percent over 1995's second quarter. As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses were 25.5 percent in the second quarter of 1996, as compared with 25.0 percent in 1995. Net interest expense and credit costs increased $14 million in 1996, as compared with 1995's second quarter. This increase was attributable to higher bad debt losses and an increase in the reserve to cover future write-offs of customer receivables. Total bad debt losses for the quarter, which increased about 30 percent, or about four cents per share, over the prior year, were the result of the increases in personal bankruptcies and delinquencies throughout the industry. Pre-tax income from the Company's consumer banking operation, which is also being impacted by bad debt trends, was $1 million, compared with $8 million in last year's quarter. Profits from JCPenney Insurance continued to improve. Second quarter pre-tax income of $49 million was $8 million, or 21.0 percent, higher than 1995's second quarter, on a revenue increase of nearly 23 percent. On August 5, 1996, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fay's Incorporated, a 272-store drug store chain headquartered in Liverpool, New York ("Fay's"). Under the terms of the agreement, each outstanding share of Fay's common stock will be converted into a fractional share of the Company's common stock valued at $12.75, subject to a minimum per share exchange of .2253397 of a share of the Company's common stock and a maximum per share exchange of .2754151 of a share of the Company's common stock. The aggregate consideration paid to Fay's stockholders will be approximately $285 million on a tax-free basis. The transaction is subject to the approval of Fay's stockholders and necessary regulatory clearances. S-2 3 The Company's annual earnings depend to a significant extent on the results of operations for the last quarter of its fiscal year. Accordingly, interim results may not be indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. RATIOS OF AVAILABLE INCOME TO FIXED CHARGES FOR THE COMPANY AND ALL SUBSIDIARIES
53 52 WEEKS WEEKS 52 WEEKS ENDED ENDED ENDED -------------------------------------- ------- ------- JULY 27 JAN. 27 JAN. 28 JAN. 29 JAN. 30 JAN. 25 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Ratios of available income to fixed charges....... 3.5 3.7 5.1 4.9 3.8 2.1 Ratios of available income to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement..................................... 3.2 3.4 4.5 4.3 3.4 1.8
For purposes of computing the ratios of available income to fixed charges, available income is determined by adding fixed charges to income before income taxes and before capitalized interest. For purposes of computing the ratios of available income to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement, available income is determined by adding fixed charges and the preferred stock dividend requirement to income before taxes, before capitalized interest, but after the preferred stock dividend requirement. Fixed charges are interest expense and a portion of rental expense representative of interest. The interest cost of the LESOP notes guaranteed by the Company is not included in fixed charges. The Company believes that due to the seasonal nature of its business, ratios for a period other than a 52 or 53 week period are inappropriate. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES GENERAL The 7 3/8% Notes offered hereby will be limited to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount and will mature on August 15, 2008. The 7 3/8% Notes will bear interest from August 19, 1996 at the rate of 7 3/8% per annum. Interest on the 7 3/8% Notes will be payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 1997, to the persons in whose names the 7 3/8% Notes are registered on the first day of February or August preceding such February 15 or August 15. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 7 3/8% Notes will be issued in fully registered form and in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The 7 3/8% Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The 7.65% Debentures offered hereby will be limited to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount and will mature on August 15, 2016. The 7.65% Debentures will bear interest from August 19, 1996 at the rate of 7.65% per annum. Interest on the 7.65% Debentures will be payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 1997, to the persons in whose names the 7.65% Debentures are registered on the first day of February or August preceding such February 15 or August 15. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 7.65% Debentures will be issued in fully registered form and in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The 7.65% Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The 6.90% Debentures offered hereby will be limited to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount and will mature on August 15, 2026. The 6.90% Debentures will bear interest from August 19, 1996 at the rate of 6.90% per annum. Interest on the 6.90% Debentures will be payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 1997, to the persons in whose names the 6.90% Debentures are registered on the first day of February or August preceding such February 15 or August 15. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 6.90% Debentures will be S-3 4 issued in fully registered form and in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The 6.90% Debentures may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. OPTIONAL REPAYMENT The 6.90% Debentures will not be redeemable at the option of the Company but repayment may be required on August 15, 2003 at the option of the registered holders thereof, at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to August 15, 2003. In order for a holder to exercise this option, the Company must receive at its office or agency in New York, New York, during the period beginning on June 15, 2003 and ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on July 15, 2003 (or, if July 15, 2003 is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), the 6.90% Debenture with the form relating to such option on the 6.90% Debenture duly completed. Any such notice received by the Company during the period beginning on June 15, 2003 and ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on July 15, 2003 shall be irrevocable. The repayment option may be exercised by the holder of a 6.90% Debenture for less than the entire principal amount of the 6.90% Debenture held by each such holder, so long as the principal amount that is to be repaid is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any 6.90% Debenture for repayment will be determined by the Company, whose determination will be final and binding. As used herein, the term "Business Day" means a day on which federally chartered banks located in New York, New York are required or authorized to open for business (other than a Saturday or Sunday) under the laws of the United States. Failure by the Company to repay the 6.90% Debentures when required as described in the preceding paragraph will result in an Event of Default under the Indenture. No similar right of repayment is available to holders of the 7 3/8% Notes or the 7.65% Debentures. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE PRIOR TO MATURITY Pursuant to an election by the Company under the Indenture, the Company has the right at any time to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Debt Securities by depositing in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations. The 6.90% Debentures, however, are not subject to satisfaction and discharge until after August 15, 2003. For United States federal income tax purposes, it is likely that any such deposit and discharge with respect to any Debt Securities will be treated as a taxable exchange of such Debt Securities for interests in the trust. For a description of the applicable provisions and the tax effects, see "Description of Securities -- Satisfaction and Discharge Prior to Maturity" in the Prospectus. CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES Non-U.S. Holders The following summary describes certain United States federal income tax consequences under current law that may be relevant to a beneficial owner of the Debt Securities that is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (iii) a person otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation on its worldwide income (any of the foregoing, a "Non-U.S. Holder"). This summary deals only with Non-U.S. Holders that are initial holders of the Debt Securities and that will hold the Debt Securities as capital assets. It does not address the tax considerations applicable to Non-U.S. Holders if income or gain in respect of the Debt Securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Generally, payments of interest made with respect to the Debt Securities to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax, provided that (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation for United States tax purposes that is directly or indirectly related to the Company through stock ownership, (iii) the S-4 5 Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (iv) the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements. Any capital gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Debt Security by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding taxes unless such Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and meets certain additional requirements. PURCHASERS OF DEBT SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS WITH RESPECT TO THE POSSIBLE APPLICABILITY OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME, WITHHOLDING AND OTHER TAXES UPON INCOME AND GAIN REALIZED IN RESPECT OF THE DEBT SECURITIES. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding A holder of the Debt Securities may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate of 31 percent on certain amounts paid to the holder unless such holder provides proof of an applicable exemption (including a general exemption for Non-U.S. Holders and for corporations) or correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the information reporting and backup withholding rules. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder's United States federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service. Proposed Regulations On April 22, 1996, the United States Treasury Department published proposed regulations relating to withholding, backup withholding and information reporting that, if adopted in their current form, would, among other things, unify current certification procedures and forms and clarify certain reliance standards. The regulations are proposed to be effective for payments made after December 31, 1997 but provide that certificates issued on or before the date that is 60 days after the proposed regulations are published in final form will continue to be valid until such certificates expire. The proposed regulations, however, are subject to change prior to their publication in final form. UNDERWRITING Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement relating to the Debt Securities, the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters named below ("Underwriters") and the Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from the Company, the following respective principal amounts of Debt Securities:
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AMOUNT OF OF 7.65% OF 6.90% UNDERWRITER 7 3/8% NOTES DEBENTURES DEBENTURES --------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------- ----------------- CS First Boston Corporation............ $ 50,000,000 $ 50,000,000 $ 50,000,000 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.............. 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 J.P. Morgan Securities Inc............. 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated...... 50,000,000 50,000,000 50,000,000 ------------ ----------------- ----------------- Total........................ $200,000,000 $ 200,000,000 $ 200,000,000 =========== ============= =============
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Debt Securities if any are purchased. S-5 6 The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they propose to offer the Debt Securities to the public initially at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession of .40% of the principal amount of the 7 3/8% Notes, .50% of the principal amount of the 7.65% Debentures, and .375% of the principal amount of the 6.90% Debentures; that the Underwriters and such dealers may allow a discount of .25% of such principal amounts on sales to other dealers; and that, after the initial public offering, the public offering prices and concessions and discounts to dealers may be changed by the Underwriters. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they intend to make a market in the Debt Securities, but that they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market in any of the Debt Securities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Debt Securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or contribute to payments which any Underwriter may be required to make in respect thereof. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain affiliates of the Underwriters have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking and investment banking transactions with the Company and affiliates of the Company. NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS RESALE RESTRICTIONS The distribution of the Debt Securities in Canada is being made only on a private placement basis exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where trades of Debt Securities are effected. Accordingly, any resale of the Debt Securities in Canada must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws which will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the Debt Securities. REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS Each purchaser of Debt Securities in Canada who receives a purchase confirmation will be deemed to represent to the Company and the dealer from whom such purchase confirmation is received that (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial securities laws to purchase such Debt Securities without the benefit of a prospectus qualified under such securities laws, (ii) where required by law, such purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and (iii) purchaser has reviewed the text above under "-- Resale Restrictions." RIGHTS OF ACTION AND ENFORCEMENT The Debt Securities being offered are those of a foreign issuer and Ontario purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by section 32 of the Regulation under the Securities Act (Ontario). As a result, Ontario purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available, including common law rights of action for damages or rescission or rights of action under the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. All of the Company's directors and officers as well as the experts named herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible for Ontario purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the Company or such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and such persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible to satisfy a judgment against the Company or such persons in Canada or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against the Company or persons outside of Canada. S-6 7 NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS A purchaser of Debt Securities to whom the Securities Act (British Columbia) applies is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the British Columbia Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of any Debt Securities acquired by such purchaser pursuant to the offering of Debt Securities contemplated hereby. Such report must be in the form attached to British Columbia Securities Commission Blanket Order BOR #95/17, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company. Only one such report must be filed in respect of Debt Securities acquired on the same date and under the same prospectus exemption. VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES The validity of the Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by C. R. Lotter, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, and for the Underwriters by Dewey Ballantine, New York, New York. As of July 31, 1996, Mr. Lotter owned 30,863 shares of common stock and common stock voting equivalents of the Company, including shares credited to his account under the Company's Savings and Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan and the Savings, Profit-Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan. As of July 31, 1996, Mr. Lotter had outstanding options to purchase 73,540 shares of common stock. S-7 8 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROSPECTUS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JCPenney J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC. DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES ------------------------ J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ("Company") may offer from time to time in one or more series up to $1,500,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof denominated in foreign currency or composite currencies such as the European Currency Unit ("ECU")) aggregate principal amount of its senior debt securities consisting of unsecured debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness ("Debt Securities"), each series of which will be offered on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The Company from time to time may also offer Debt Securities with warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities (Debt Securities and Warrants being hereinafter collectively called "Securities"). A Supplement to this Prospectus ("Prospectus Supplement") will be delivered together with this Prospectus in respect of any Debt Securities, including any related Warrants, then being offered and will set forth certain specific terms with respect to such Securities, which may include, among other items: - title; - authorized denominations; - aggregate principal amount; - initial public offering price; - maturity; - currency or currency unit in which the Debt Securities will be denominated; - rate or rates or formula to determine such rate or rates, and time or times of payment of interest, if any; - redemption and sinking fund terms, if any; - exercise prices and expiration dates of any Warrants; - listing, if any, on a securities exchange; - underwriter or underwriters, if any, respective amounts to be purchased by them, their compensation and the resulting net proceeds to the Company. Securities may be sold to underwriters for public offering pursuant to terms of offering fixed at the time of sale. In addition, Securities may be sold by the Company directly or through agents. See "Plan of Distribution". ------------------------ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR AD- EQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ------------------------ THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JULY 2, 1996 9 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE THEREBY, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED THEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE THEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act") and in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N. W., Room 1024, Washington, D. C. 20549; and at the Commission's Regional Offices in Chicago (Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661) and New York (Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10048). Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20549 at prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can also be inspected at the office of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"). This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to the Company and the Securities offered pursuant hereto. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The Company incorporates herein by reference (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996, (ii) the J. C. Penney Funding Corporation ("Funding Corporation") Annual Report on Form 10-K for such fiscal year, (iii) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 27, 1996, and (iv) Funding Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended April 27, 1996. The aforesaid reports have heretofore been filed by the Company and Funding Corporation with the Commission pursuant to applicable provisions of the 1934 Act. All reports and any definitive proxy or information statements filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, shall be deemed to be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO SUCH DOCUMENTS). WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC., PUBLIC INFORMATION, P. O. BOX 10001, DALLAS, TEXAS 75301-4302. TELEPHONE REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO (214) 431-1488. 2 10 THE COMPANY The Company is a major retailer, with department stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Chile. The major portion of the Company's business consists of providing merchandise and services to consumers through department stores that include catalog departments. The Company markets predominantly family apparel, shoes, jewelry, accessories and home furnishings. The Company finances a portion of its operations through Funding Corporation, a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary. The Company was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 and incorporated in Delaware in 1924. Its principal executive offices are located at 6501 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024-3698, and its telephone number is (214) 431-1000. As used in this Prospectus, except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term "Company" means J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Securities will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings and investments. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying this Prospectus, specific allocations of the proceeds will not have been made at the date of the Prospectus Supplement. Pending any specific application, the net proceeds may be initially invested in short term marketable securities or applied to the reduction of short term indebtedness. The Company or its subsidiaries may from time to time borrow additional funds or issue additional equity securities, as appropriate. The amounts, terms and timing of any such financings or issuances will depend upon a number of factors, including the operations of the Company and the condition of the financial markets. RATIOS OF AVAILABLE INCOME TO FIXED CHARGES FOR THE COMPANY AND ALL SUBSIDIARIES
52 WEEKS ENDED 53 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED ------------------------------------------- -------------- -------------- APR. 27 JAN. 27 JAN. 28 JAN. 29 JAN. 30 JAN. 25 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------- ------- ------- ------- -------------- -------------- Ratios of available income to fixed charges............... 3.6 3.7 5.1 4.9 3.8 2.1 Ratios of available income to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirement........... 3.3 3.4 4.5 4.3 3.4 1.8
For purposes of computing the ratios of available income to fixed charges, available income is determined by adding fixed charges to income from continuing operations before income taxes and before capitalized interest. Fixed charges are interest expense and a portion of rental expense representative of interest. For purposes of computing the ratios of available income to combined fixed charges and preferred dividend requirement, fixed charges are further increased by the preferred stock dividend requirement. The interest cost of the LESOP notes guaranteed by the Company is not included in fixed charges. The Company believes that due to the seasonal nature of its business, ratios for a period other than a 52 or 53 week period are inappropriate. 3 11 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES DEBT SECURITIES The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1994 (said Indenture being herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and First Trust of California, National Association, Successor Trustee to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association ("Trustee"). The Indenture in the form in which it was executed is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The following statements are subject to the detailed provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms used herein without definition. Wherever particular provisions of the Indenture are referred to below, such provisions are incorporated by reference as a part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. GENERAL The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities which can be issued thereunder. Under the Indenture, Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series, each in an aggregate principal amount (in U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof denominated in foreign currency or composite currencies such as the ECU) authorized by the Company prior to issuance. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for certain specified terms with respect to the Debt Securities being offered hereby, including, but not limited to (1) the terms set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus; (2) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within and the price or prices at which the Debt Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other detailed terms and provisions of such obligation; (3) if the amount of payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; and (4) whether any of the Debt Securities shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities (as described below) and, if so, the Depository for such Global Security or Securities, and the circumstances under which any such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged for Debt Securities registered in the name of, and any transfer of such Global Security or Securities may be registered to, a person other than such Depository or its nominee. The Debt Securities offered hereby will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons and may be issued (in the case of dollar denominated Debt Securities) in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Debt Securities of a series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more permanent Global Securities in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities. Any such Global Security deposited with a Depository or its nominee and bearing the legend required by the Indenture may not be surrendered for transfer or exchange except by the Depository for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depository, except if the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository, or the Depository ceases to be qualified as required by the Indenture, or the Company instructs the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture that such Global Security shall be so registrable and exchangeable, or there shall exist such other circumstances, if any, as may be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by one or more Global Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Beneficial interests in Global Securities will only be evidenced by, and transfers thereof will only be effected through, records maintained by the Depository and the institutions that are participants in the Depository. At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of 4 12 any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. The Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged without payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Article Two) The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities will be payable, and the transfer of the Debt Securities will be registrable, at the agency or agencies maintained by the Company; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register. (Sections 2.07 and 2.10) Some of the Debt Securities may be issued as discounted Debt Securities (bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rate) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Debt Securities may also be issued under the Indenture upon the exercise of Warrants. See "Warrants" below. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS Limitations on Liens. The Indenture provides that the Company may not, nor may it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed which are secured by any mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien ("mortgage") of or upon any Principal Property or of or upon any shares of stock or evidences of indebtedness for borrowed money issued by any Restricted Subsidiary and owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the Indenture or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing that the Principal Amount of the Debt Securities from time to time Outstanding shall be secured equally and ratably by such mortgage, except that this restriction will not apply to (1) mortgages on any property existing at the time of its acquisition; (2) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with, or disposes of substantially all its properties (or those of a division) to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (3) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; (4) mortgages securing indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary; (5) mortgages to secure the cost of acquisition, construction, development or substantial repair, alteration or improvement of property if the commitment to extend the credit secured by any such mortgage is obtained within 12 months after the later of the completion or the placing in operation of the acquired, constructed, developed or substantially repaired, altered or improved property; (6) mortgages securing current indebtedness (as defined); or (7) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any mortgage referred to in clauses (1) through (6) provided, however, that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by said clauses (1) to (6), inclusive, shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness, plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal or replacement, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement. However, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may issue, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by mortgages which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restriction in any aggregate amount which, together with all other such indebtedness outstanding, all attributable debt outstanding under the provisions described in the last sentence under Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions below and all Senior Funded Indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed by any Restricted Subsidiary, does not exceed 5% of Stockholders' Equity. (Section 5.08) Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property (except for transactions involving leases for a term, including renewals, of not more than three years and except for transactions between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries), if the purchaser's commitment is obtained more than 12 months after the later of the acquisition or completion or the placing in operation of such Principal Property or of such Principal Property as constructed or developed or substantially repaired, altered or improved. This restriction will not apply if either (a) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled pursuant to the provision described in the first sentence under Limitations on Liens above to issue, assume or guarantee debt secured by a mortgage 5 13 on such Principal Property without equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities from time to time outstanding or (b) the Company applies within 180 days an amount equal to, in the case of a sale or transfer for cash, the net proceeds (not exceeding the net book value) and, otherwise, an amount equal to the fair value (as determined by its Board of Directors) of the Principal Property so leased to the retirement of Debt Securities or other Senior Funded Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, subject to reduction as set forth in the Indenture in respect of Debt Securities and other Senior Funded Indebtedness retired during such 180-day period otherwise than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund or prepayment provisions and payments at maturity. The Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, however, may enter into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restriction so as to create an aggregate amount of attributable debt (as defined) which, together with all other such attributable debt outstanding, all indebtedness outstanding under the provision described in the last sentence under Limitations on Liens above and all Senior Funded Indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed by any Restricted Subsidiary, does not exceed 5% of Stockholders' Equity. (Section 5.09) Waiver of Covenants. The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority (unless a greater requirement with respect to any series of Debt Securities is specified for this purpose, in which case the requirement specified) in Principal Amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a particular series may waive compliance as to such series with certain covenants or conditions set forth in the Indenture, including those described above. (Section 5.10) Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets of the Company. The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or sell its assets substantially as an entirety, unless (1) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires its assets is a corporation organized in the United States and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on all the Debt Securities and the performance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company, and (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under the Indenture, and the predecessor corporation shall be released from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Debt Securities. (Article Eleven) Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants contained in the Indenture and the Debt Securities would not necessarily afford Holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving the Company that may adversely affect such Holders. DEFINITIONS "Principal Amount" means, when used with respect to any Debt Security, the amount of principal thereof that could then be declared due and payable as a result of an Event of Default with respect to such Debt Security. "Principal Property" means all real and tangible property owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary constituting a part of any store, warehouse or distribution center located within the United States, exclusive of motor vehicles, mobile materials-handling equipment and other rolling stock, cash registers and other point of sale recording devices and related equipment, and data processing and other office equipment, provided the net book value of all real property (including leasehold improvements) and store fixtures constituting a part of such store, warehouse or distribution center exceeds 0.25% of Stockholders' Equity. "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (as defined) of the Company or of a Restricted Subsidiary which the Company designates as a Restricted Subsidiary, which designation shall not have been canceled. However, no subsidiary for which the designation of Restricted Subsidiary has been canceled may be redesignated as such if during any period following cancellation of its previous designation as a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall have entered into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction which would have been prohibited had it been a Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such Transaction. "Senior Funded Indebtedness" of the Company means any Funded Indebtedness of the Company unless in any instruments evidencing or securing such Funded Indebtedness it is provided that such Funded Indebtedness is subordinate 6 14 in right of payment to the Debt Securities to the extent provided in the Indenture. "Senior Funded Indebtedness" of a Restricted Subsidiary means Funded Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiary and the aggregate preference on involuntary liquidation of preferred stock of such Subsidiary. "Funded Indebtedness" of a corporation means the principal of (a) indebtedness for money borrowed or evidenced by an instrument given in connection with an acquisition which is not payable on demand and which matures, or which such corporation has the right to renew or extend to a date, more than one year after the date of determination, (b) any indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding clause (a) for the payment of which such corporation is responsible or liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and (c) amendments, renewals and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of the definition of "Funded Indebtedness", the term "principal" when used at any date with respect to any indebtedness means the amount of principal of such indebtedness that could be declared to be due and payable on that date pursuant to the terms of such indebtedness. "Stockholders' Equity" means the aggregate of (a) capital and reinvested earnings, after deducting the cost of shares of capital stock of the Company held in its treasury, of the Company and consolidated Subsidiaries plus (b) deferred tax effects. (Section 1.01) EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any series of Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% (unless a different percentage with respect to any series of Debt Securities is specified for this purpose, in which case the percentage specified) in Outstanding Principal Amount of such series may declare to be due and payable immediately the Principal Amount (or specified portion thereof) of such series, together with interest, if any, accrued thereon. (Section 7.02) The Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities as any one of the following events: (a) default for 30 days in payment of any interest due with respect to any Debt Security of such series; (b) default for 30 days in making any sinking fund payment due with respect to any Debt Security of such series; (c) default in payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of such series when due; (d) default for 90 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or by Holders of not less than 25% in Principal Amount of the Debt Securities then Outstanding of such series in the performance of any other covenant for the benefit of such series; (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization; and (f) any additional event specified as an "Event of Default" for the benefit of such series. (Section 7.01) No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities issued under the Indenture necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of Debt Securities issued thereunder. The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, give to the Holders of the Debt Securities of each series as to which such default has occurred notice of such default known to it, unless cured or waived; provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any of the Debt Securities, the Trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the series as to which such default has occurred. The term "default" for the purpose of this provision means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default. (Section 8.02) The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the duty of the Trustee during the continuance of an Event of Default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the Holders of Debt Securities before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of such Holders. (Section 8.03) The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority (unless a greater requirement with respect to any series of Debt Securities is specified for this purpose, in which case the requirement specified) in Outstanding Principal Amount of a series of Debt Securities may, subject to certain exceptions, on behalf of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. (Section 7.12) 7 15 The Indenture includes a covenant that the Company will file annually with the Trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists. (Section 5.06) In certain cases, the Holders of a majority (unless a greater requirement with respect to any series of Debt Securities is specified for this purpose, in which case the requirement specified) in Outstanding Principal Amount of a series of Debt Securities may on behalf of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series rescind, as to such series, a declaration of acceleration or waive, as to such series, any past default or Event of Default relating to the Debt Securities of such series, except a default not theretofore cured in payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of such Debt Securities or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series. (Sections 7.02 and 7.13) MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3% (unless a different percentage with respect to any series of Debt Securities is specified for this purpose, in which case the percentage specified) in Principal Amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any provisions of the Indenture or modifying the rights of the Holders of such Debt Securities, except that no such supplemental indenture may, without the consent of all Holders of affected Debt Securities, (i) change the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security or reduce the principal payable at Stated Maturity or which could be declared due and payable prior thereto or change any redemption price thereof, (ii) reduce the rate of interest payable on any Debt Security, (iii) adversely affect the terms and provisions, if any, applicable to the conversion or exchange of any Debt Securities, (iv) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities of any series or the percentage of Debt Securities of any series specified in Section 5.10 or 7.13, (v) change any place or the currency of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Debt Security, or (vi) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security. (Section 10.02) SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE PRIOR TO MATURITY The Company may elect to provide with respect to any series of Debt Securities that the Company may satisfy its obligations with respect to any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest due on such series of Debt Securities by depositing in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to make such payment when due. If such deposit is sufficient to make all payments of (1) interest on such series of Debt Securities prior to their redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and (2) principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities when due upon redemption or at maturity, as the case may be, all the obligations of the Company under such series of Debt Securities and the Indenture as it relates to such series of Debt Securities will be discharged and terminated except as otherwise provided in the Indenture. "U.S. Government Obligations" are defined to mean (i) securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and (ii) depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian and evidencing ownership by the holders of such depository receipts of future payments of interest or principal, or both, on such securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States held by such custodian. For United States income tax purposes, it is likely that any such deposit and discharge with respect to any Debt Securities will be treated as a taxable exchange of such Debt Securities for interests in the trust. In that event, a Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the Holder's cost or other tax basis for the Debt Securities and the value of the Holder's interest in such trust; and thereafter will be required to include in income a share of the income, gain and loss of the trust. Purchasers of the Debt Securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the United States income tax law. 8 16 In addition, the Company may elect to provide with respect to any series of Debt Securities that the Company may be released from certain of its covenants upon the satisfaction of certain conditions applicable to the securities of such series. WARRANTS The Company may issue with any Debt Securities being offered by it Warrants for the purchase of other Debt Securities. Each issue of Warrants will be issued under, and will be governed by, a Warrant Agreement ("Warrant Agreement"), to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent ("Warrant Agent"), to be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Securities with which the Warrants are to be issued. The proposed Warrant Agreement, including the form of proposed Warrant Certificate representing the Warrants, substantially in the form in which it is to be executed, is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to all the provisions set forth in the Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the definitions thereof of certain terms. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities, the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants and the Warrant Certificates representing the Warrants for certain specific terms of the Warrants, which may include: (1) designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants; (2) designation and terms of any related Debt Securities with which the Warrants are issued and the number of Warrants issued with each such Debt Security; (3) date, if any, on and after which the Warrants and the related Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (4) principal amount of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of one Warrant and the price at which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such exercise; (5) date on which the right to exercise the Warrants shall commence ("Commencement Date") and date on which such right shall expire ("Expiration Date"); and (6) whether the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form. Warrant Certificates will be exchangeable for new Warrant Certificates of different denominations, and Warrants may be exercised, at the agency or agencies maintained for such purposes. Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights of Holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of Debt Securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth, or be determinable as set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities. Each Warrant may be exercised in whole but not in part at any time on and after the Commencement Date and up to the close of business on the Expiration Date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities. After the close of business on the Expiration Date, unexercised Warrants will become void. The exercise price of the Warrants will be that price applicable on the date of receipt of payment therefor determined as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities. Upon receipt of payment of the exercise price and the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed at the agency or agencies maintained by the Company for such purpose, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the Warrants represented by such Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Warrant Certificate will be issued for the Warrants remaining unexercised. 9 17 VALIDITY OF SECURITIES The validity of the Securities will be passed upon for the Company by C. R. Lotter, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company, and for any underwriters, agents or purchasers by Dewey Ballantine, New York, New York. As of April 30, 1996, Mr. Lotter owned 31,591 shares of Common Stock and Common Stock voting equivalents of the Company, including shares credited to his accounts under the Company's Savings and Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan and Savings, Profit-Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan. As of April 30, 1996, he had outstanding options to purchase 73,540 shares of Common Stock. EXPERTS The financial statements and schedules as of January 27, 1996, January 28, 1995 and January 29, 1994, and for each of the years then ended contained or incorporated by reference in (a) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996 and (b) Funding Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1996 have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants (which reports each dated February 22, 1996 are incorporated herein by reference to the aforementioned Annual Reports on Form 10-K), and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The Independent Auditors' Reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP covering the aforementioned consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company refer to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, adopted by the Company in 1993, to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, adopted by the Company in 1994, and to the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, adopted by the Company in 1995. To the extent that KPMG Peat Marwick LLP audits and reports on financial statements of the Company and Funding Corporation issued at future dates, and consents to the use of their reports thereon, such financial statements also will be incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon their reports and said authority. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may offer the Securities from time to time (i) through underwriters or dealers, (ii) directly to one or more institutional purchasers, or (iii) through agents. Sales of Securities through underwriters may be through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters. The specific managing underwriter or underwriters which may act with respect to the offer and sale of any series of Securities are set forth on the cover of the Prospectus Supplement in respect of such series and the members of the underwriting syndicate, if any, are named in such Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of Securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received 10 18 by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the 1933 Act. If so indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. The Prospectus Supplement relating thereto will also set forth the price to be paid for Securities pursuant to such contracts, the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts, the date or dates in the future for delivery of Securities pursuant to such contracts and any conditions to which such contracts will be subject. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act. Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business. 11 19 - ------------------------------------------------------ NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH DATE. ------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE Recent Developments.................... S-2 Ratios of Available Income to Fixed Charges for the Company and All Subsidiaries......................... S-3 Description of Debt Securities......... S-3 Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences..................... S-4 Underwriting........................... S-5 Notice to Canadian Residents........... S-6 Validity of Debt Securities............ S-7 PROSPECTUS Available Information.................. 2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................ 2 The Company............................ 3 Use of Proceeds........................ 3 Ratios of Available Income to Fixed Charges for the Company and All Subsidiaries......................... 3 Description of Securities.............. 4 Validity of Securities................. 10 Experts................................ 10 Plan of Distribution................... 10
- ------------------------------------------------------ JCPenney $200,000,000 7 3/8% Notes Due 2008 $200,000,000 7.65% Debentures Due 2016 $200,000,000 6.90% Debentures Due 2026 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CS First Boston Merrill Lynch & Co. J.P. Morgan & Co. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated - ------------------------------------------------------ -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----